Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group

Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.

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Finally, help

FIC
FIC
OK, when dxd with this 4/2010, it was because a horrific explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine had caused my own father's death to resurface as I'd never really dealt with it.

I thought I was going nuts and didn't even know what PTSD was so when I got that thrown at me I asked, "What do I do to get rid of it?" I was told to avoid my "triggers". That is impossible where I live as all there is is COAL MINING.

The more triggers I tried to avoid, the smaller my world became. TV contained news about coal mining, I'd see coal miners going to work, coal trucks on the road....you get the idea.

Finally, I started doing the things my mind said to do but felt they were "wierd" things....I checked with the counselor and she told me as long as those things were not harmful to me or others, follow my instincts as it was my brain trying to heal.

So, I went to get a rubbing of my daddy's grave marker. Actually tracked down the OFFICAL mine accident report (yes, totally lost it because it was so graphic with drawings, etc.), somehow, went into flash back mode and walked 10 miles to the old abandoned mine and had a ceremony there for my daddy, and the FINAL STEP FOR FREEDOM FOR ME? I got a tattoo with my daddy's name, date of birth, death, etc. This was like "now nobody can ever take him from me again." Weird? Maybe. But I am doing so much better now.

I don't freak when I see coal mining things, etc. Free as I can be!
FindingKatB
FindingKatB
I am so sorry for what happened to your daddy. I have thought a lot,I mean, A LOT about getting tattoos for myself. I may not have a similar experience like yours, but this brought up the death of my older cousin in 2009. I remember a few weeks ago, sobbing and crying about her death: asthma attack. What never left my brain was how she died of something that I had as a child and around my age range also. It was the first time I ever wailed like that for anybody and I could never forget how real the pain was, I wrote a poem for the day of her burial. I've thought a lot about getting one just of her. Its made me realize that maybe the reason why I haven't forgotten her the intensity of her death has been because I haven't mourned her death properly or just hasn't been processed in my brain.

This is a reminder that maybe I should go along with my gut on this. I guess when the time is right( and by that, financially), I would. My family would react the same way as yours,but in reality, i really would love to have one just for her.
FindingKatB
FindingKatB
I am so sorry for what happened to your daddy. I have thought a lot,I mean, A LOT about getting tattoos for myself. I may not have a similar experience like yours, but this brought up the death of my older cousin in 2009. I remember a few weeks ago, sobbing and crying about her death: asthma attack. What never left my brain was how she died of something that I had as a child and around my age range also. It was the first time I ever wailed like that for anybody and I could never forget how real the pain was, I wrote a poem for the day of her burial. I've thought a lot about getting one just of her. Its made me realize that maybe the reason why I haven't forgotten her the intensity of her death has been because I haven't mourned her death properly or just hasn't been processed in my brain.

This is a reminder that maybe I should go along with my gut on this. I guess when the time is right( and by that, financially), I would. My family would react the same way as yours,but in reality, i really would love to have one just for her.
FindingKatB
FindingKatB
I am so sorry for what happened to your daddy. I have thought a lot,I mean, A LOT about getting tattoos for myself. I may not have a similar experience like yours, but this brought up the death of my older cousin in 2009. I remember a few weeks ago, sobbing and crying about her death: asthma attack. What never left my brain was how she died of something that I had as a child and around my age range also. It was the first time I ever wailed like that for anybody and I could never forget how real the pain was, I wrote a poem for the day of her burial. I've thought a lot about getting one just of her. Its made me realize that maybe the reason why I haven't forgotten her the intensity of her death has been because I haven't mourned her death properly or just hasn't been processed in my brain.

This is a reminder that maybe I should go along with my gut on this. I guess when the time is right( and by that, financially), I would. My family would react the same way as yours,but in reality, i really would love to have one just for her.
Community Leadermujicaptsd
mujicaptsd
Just wanting you to know I'm keeping you in my prayers, friend.
FIC
FIC
DEAR MUJICAPTSD - I have my daddy's PTSD "kit" in my special place. In the cardboard tube, (which I can't stand to touch but must know it's close), is coal from the PTSD trip where I freaked out and ended up at the coal mines, the REAL report of his death, and a rubbing of his grave marker. I feel "safe" knowing they are here. I even took a few pieces of extra coal and made a mini-marker in my home from the site. It has tree bark on the larger lump with his name & stuff. I can stand to look at it but it's doesn't take me to the RAW SPOT I have inside.

Thanks for your prayers and words of advice.
FIC
FIC
DEAR CATB - Well, a tattoo is something you must link with the person, your soul & theirs. I designed my own to fit.

It has a cross for Jesus, in the center where the cross meets a Star of David (Dad was full Jew making me a complete Jew blood wise), at the bottom, a Bible as he was a minister, and above the cross is TRIBE OF DAN which is the tribe of his Jewish ancestory. I also put his name, date of birth & death on it.